First and foremost, I want to go to Scotland. Now onto everything I didn’t like…. This girly needs to go to therapy. One of my biggest romcom pet peeves is when the two main characters shouldn’t end up together because they really need to work on themselves and that was the case with this. Addie has not grieved losing her mother when she was a teenager, so she pushes away everyone who cares for her as a defense mechanism. I think he seemed way more into her than she was into him (he literally mentioned this multiple times) and then she just pops in the last couple pages and says jk I love you pooks and he’s like slay let’s get married. It was a love letter to Scotland and I liked the grief elements and found family, I just think it would work as a general fiction instead of a romcom!

Kilt Trip is such a cozy, heartfelt read. Sometimes all you need to cure some wanderlust is reading a book like this one! Addie is easy to like, and also to identify with. Kiley wrote about her struggles with grief beautifully and since most of us have experienced some kind of loss, it really hit home. Also, who couldn't fall for Logan? Can't wait to read more of Kiley's books!

I really enjoyed this one! It was light-hearted while also dealing with not-so-light things. I loved the setting, the characters, and how well Addie and Logan work together.
I liked how Addie and Logan had different ideas about the tours but were able to compromise on what turned out to be a really great business endeavor.
This was a really sweet book with some great spicy scenes as well...

Overall rating 4/5

I loved this unique, heartfelt happily-ever-after steeped in all the magic and beauty of Scotland. The characters were wonderful, the tours were enviable, and who doesn't love a man in a kilt??

Kilt Trip is a sweet romance set in Scotland (as if the cute title didn't give that away!). Addie and Logan's love story was sweet, and I loved the personality and quirks of their characters and their supporting cast. I also enjoyed the inclusion of so much Scottish history and places of interest and how seamless it fit into the story. I felt like I learned a lot more about the country than I. have in similar books set in Scotland. i did feel like the first 40% of the book was a little slower paced than the rest, and it took me some time to really engage with the characters and the story. Overall, I really enjoyed this little Scottish romp and would recommend if you're looking for a lighthearted and 'feel good' read! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book!

“Does your heart feel like mine?”

You’re seeing three stars and are probably thinking “yikes!”, but I promise it’s not a bad book! It’s not! It just wasn’t my cup of tea! If I had read the synopsis, which I tend not to do these days opting instead to take the “go in blind” approach, I probably would’ve deemed it not for me, and let this one slide. Let’s get into it!

This review contains minor spoilers and should be read after finishing this book!

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5

Tropes: workplace romance, “enemies” to lovers, slow burn, he falls first, found family, off limits

Here’s what I loved:

•The setting
Kiley did an amazing job transporting readers to Scotland with her writing. As someone who has never been to Scotland, it was easy enough (with some help from Google images) to feel like I was right there with our MCs.

•The writing
The writing is clean, descriptive and visceral, and the dialogue between the characters was realistic!

•How grief is represented
Both Addie and her father are grieving the loss of Addie’s mother, and I loved the contrasting ways they dealt with it. While each coped differently, they also had a lot of parallels, and I think that speaks leaps and bounds to grief as a human emotion. Loss is a unique and individual process, yet we all experience it, and there are components to grief that are largely the same.

•The spice
It wasn’t cringey, and it made me blush which makes it a positive! Did I struggle a little with a MMC in a kilt? Sure did! But that’s a me and my need for “hyper masculine men” problem. I still found Logan to be a great book boyfriend, and the spice do be spicing.

•The ending
The ending and epilogue are tooth achingly sweet and I loved it! The last few chapters were honestly my favorite out of the entire book.

Here’s what I didn’t love:

•All the history
I’ll admit that I am someone who does not have the infamous “travel bug”, but more than that, I am someone who HATES history. If I were to travel, the last places you’d find me would be any kind of museum or TOUR! So naturally, reading a whole book about tours where the guide delves into the history of Scotland and its traditions was incredibly boring to me. I skimmed over most of those sections which unsurprisingly was a lot of the book. This is one of the big reasons why I say <b>YOU COULD STILL LOVE THIS BOOK</b> it just wasn’t for me, and if I had read the synopsis I could’ve recognized I’d have a hard time reading this one.

•The main plot point
The Heart of the Highlands is a struggling tour business, yet guests love the “personalized, hidden gem” aspect of the tours. Solution? Obviously keep the personalized, hidden gem component, and add in some of the more touristy destinations. This whole book is Addie and Logan butting heads trying to convince each other that their idea of a tour is the right one, as if the solution isn’t the obvious middle ground. It made the big reveal of the solution less “ta-da” and more like “yeah, duh! Could’ve told you that 150 pages ago!”

•Addie being mad at her dad for remarrying
This is a smaller annoyance, but one that still bugged me. I fully understand that Addie’s issue with her dad is that he abandoned her to his own grief, sacrificing their relationship and leaving her to grieve her mother on her own, but when he tells her he’s getting remarried she gets pissed with him. Addie, girl… it’s been 13 years! Did you really think your father would stay single for the rest of his life? Moreover, do you think he deserves to be alone for the rest of his life? I can understand where it might be shocking and a <i>little</i> upsetting because their relationship was ransacked over his grief for his wife, yet is now able to form new relationships, but that’s life. Accept your father’s healing, heal yourself, and move forward, WHICH TO BE FAIR, she does do at the end. I just hate that it was even a thing to begin with.


*Out March 5, 2024*

Thank you Alexandra Kiley, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sweet and gentle, with a warmth and heart that hit all the right notes. This was a bit show in some sections but it didn't really detract from the lovely story.

I always have a soft spot for story that take place in Scotland and the premise of this one is great. I enjoyed it and I think loads of romance reads will love it. However, it isn’t making it to the top of my romance reads. Something was missing. I didn’t understand Logan‘a draw towards Addy and certain parts I felt jumped around and I couldn’t quite follow them from scene to scene. Will I read it again no? Will I recommend it to new romance readers sure!

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

I don’t know how many hand ever watched Monarch of the Glen, but this entire book gave me the feels from that tv series. Logan is a swoony kilt wearing tour guide who is trying to save the family business. Addie is a travel consultant with Scottish roots brought in to help the business become profitable. Their vision clash, but the sparks fly as they travel throughout Scotland. Readers are brought along their travels through Scotland.

This book is for anyone wanting to feed their Scottish wanderlust with a sweet romance.

Firstly I want to thank Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!!

Addie is helping a family run business with their guided tours in Scotland, but can she resist the hot tour guide in a kilt? Honestly, I couldn't.

A few things I loved about this book,
The setting, I love Scotland so much and the author describes Edinburgh so well I could picture it all over again. I also liked our MMC he was passionate and loyal and caring. Lastly I did enjoy the family vibe of the supporting characters around our MMC. It felt small town-y and intimate.
The epilogue was also cute, and honestly my favorite part of the book.
Somethings that fell a little short for me,
Addie our FMC. I had a really hard time connecting to her and quite honestly she annoyed me a lot of the time. I had a hard time with her closed off-ness and how she would disregard Logans feelings while hiding from her own, ( I understand that this was her hurdle to over come, but it just felt like a little much to me and immature at times, so I personally could not connect with it) and that led to her making a lot of choices that I didn't like. Which in turn caused me to not be overly connected to her and Logans relationship.
All in all this one wasn't really for me but there were some standouts, as listed above, that I did enjoy!!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

When Addie was hired as a travel consultant for Heart of the Highlands tour company, she was excited since it would give her an opportunity to retrace her late mother's trip to Scotland. While this may have initially been a way to remember and reconnect with her mother, it became a way for Addie to heal and reconnect with herself.

Scotland is one of those bucket list places for me, and I always jump at the chance to read stories set there. But that was not the only draw with Kilt Trip. I found so many things to love as I smiled, laughed, and swooned my way through this sweet and heartfelt romance.

Scotland definitely had a starring role in this tale. Since a big part of this story was the tour packages from Heart of the Highlands, I was treated to several really amazing trips. I commend Kiley on the vivid descriptions which pulled me out of New Jersey and into the Highlands. I saw the sights and heard the sounds while also learning some interesting historical facts.

Then there was Logan who totally stole my heart. I loved his commitment with trying to help visitors fall in love with his country. A big thing was his aversion to the "tourist trap" type attractions, but I have to say, I think I would be happy to be on his tours any day. His affection for his history and country shined brightly, as did his love for his family and Addie. I adored how he wanted to help Addie with her quest to find all the sites in her mother's pictures while also just wanting to be a part of her personal journey.

I felt so much compassion and empathy for Addie. It may have been ten years since her mother's death, but it had a profound effect on her life. Losing her mother, and in a sense, her father at the same time, forced Addie to keep people at arm's length. She adopted a nomadic lifestyle that she thought she loved until Logan and everyone at Heart began breaking through those barriers.

This was a healing journey for Addie, and I was glad she had so many wonderful people to support her along the way. I adored Logan's family and his co-workers who embraced Addie as one of their own. It was beautiful to see her want to put down roots while also attempting to mend her relationship with her father.

Overall, this book satisfied my wanderlust while touching my heart. It was funny and sweet, and it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of this Kilt Trip.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

Given that this delivered me right back to my whirlwind trip to Fort William and the Highlands a few years ago, it was an easy win for me. But, I absolutely loved Addie and Logan. This is an intimate, adventurous love story that also delves into grief and family complexities.

💙Rivals to Lovers
💙He Falls First
🔥Banter
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🌶️Open door, but more intimate than graphic
🌶️ 10/10 for sexy kilt references

"He was a dangerous combination of sensitive and challenging, and Addie was having a hell of a time feigning disinterest."

"They were dangerously close to a tented-tartan situation he wasn't one hundred percent certain she'd appreciate."

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC!

"Kilt Trip" garners a resounding five stars for its raw and affecting portrayal of journeying through both the heart and the hauntingly beautiful Scotland. It’s not merely about the number of places seen, but rather how they resonate within the soul, a sentiment that rings true throughout the book.

The prose invites us into a world where the question, "does your heart feel like mine?" isn’t just asked but is felt in the spaces between words. The author skillfully started us off with minimal expectations, only to sweep us into a maelstrom of team dynamics, betrayal, and a past that bleeds into every page, contributing to an intensely emotional story.

The tension between the characters was palpable, a thread of suspense that was "attention, pulling" in its intensity. It escalated to a crescendo that "snacked around 80% into the book," leaving us as breathless as the characters within.

The concluding chapters, where the storylines knit together, were likened to the selkie from the lore of the sea—always returning home. This tale, too, comes full circle in a fashion so beautifully crafted, it felt as though watching a movie unfold. The end was not just an ending but a moment of amazing revelation, both for the characters and the reader.

In summary, "Kilt Trip" is a beautifully cracked tapestry, each thread a storyline that wove together into an unforgettable picture—a testament to the power of a well-told tale.

I really enjoyed this book. Addie and Logan's story was perfection with a slow burn and some spice! My favorite part was the setting. I want to hop a plane to Scotland right now! Overall, a fun and good read.

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC.

A wee cute Scottish romp for rivals to lovers fans! I read this one a few months after vacationing in Scotland actually and it took me right back to the Highlands! I especially enjoy the let’s-save-the-business trope and this one delivers

This was an adorable and spicy debut that will definitely have me on the lookout for more of Kiley's works! Some of my favourite tropes, such as rivals to lovers, forced proximity, and found family, are set to the backdrop of Scotland and a fantastic cast of characters. I'm glad that Scottish MMCs are getting their turn with contemporary romcoms because honestly, all the real-people covers with guys in kilts were always super offputting for me, but this cover really drew me in!

This ARC review made me so darn happy! And omg, I know have an even longer bucket list of places to visit in Scotland! Those who know me, know I’ve been obsessed with Scotland ever since I found my ancestral tartan (Armstrong!) and years later (as well as Harry Potter and Outlander after-effects) that desire still burns bright! Throw it a to-die-for romance and it makes me want to read this book all over again!

I ate it up in three days and I just loved reading the character growth in both MCs. Super well written and characters didn’t feel flat at all. I don’t LOVE a third act breakup but. It . Made. Sense. Here!

It also was super fun all the real places the author included! I could do a quick google search for the place or landmark and just imagine the story! Added cinematic effect FOR SURE.

I did not feel this one AT ALL. I love Scotland and everything that comes along with it, but this book felt more like a travel guide instead of a romance novel WAY TOO OFTEN. This was very 'Inside Baseball' (re: Scotland) so often and I did not read this book to learn about the history of Scotland. And on top of that, Logan was a straight up jerk for far too long. He was a dick to Addie as soon as he found out who she was and I do not at all see why she was willing to put up with him. Why would her being a secret auditor on the tour be a big deal? She was literally doing her job and not hurting anyone. I also do not understand why she was so interested in keeping a job that was apparently so fragile that letting her boss know that their client was not interested in being helped and was being obstinate at every turn made her fear for losing her job. ALSO, why didn't Logan's family really tell him to chill out? You hire this person to help you and then you throw her to the wolves, basically. I really found myself skimming and was so annoyed that by the time Logan started turning his attitude around that I was rooting for Addie to tell him where he could shove it. There were a few moments I enjoyed, which I why I was willing to give this 2 stars, but this one really left a sour taste in my mouth.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

What an amazing, wonderful debut from this author! The contemporary, closed-door rom-com with an enemies-to-lovers plot line and a clever tour guide twist is refreshingly different than the regular Scottish historical romances. Told from a dual point-of-view, we get to tag along with the road-trip shenanigans of and experience the banter between Logan, the main male character (so very patient) and Addie, the main female character, (trying to find herself). The use of imagery is outstanding with descriptions of Scottish scenery, retelling of its legends and rich history… you can tell the author had first hand experience with the setting. The secondary character development is spot on- I really hope Jack, Reid and Elyse get their own book(s)! A delightful, witty read
Right now novel!
I’m all for the contemporary, illustrative cover design depicting a Scotsman in his kilt!
Thank you to NetGalley and HTPbooks for my advance copy

An enemies to lovers romance set in Scotland with a kilt-wearing MMC?! Say less! I’m already in.

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley was a cozy read that could be devoured in a single day. Alexandra Kiley did a great job of weaving tender moments, with witty banter, and undeniable chemistry.

The dynamic between spirited Addie and the charming Logan was fun to read. Their feelings developed quickly and I appreciated how open and vulnerable Jack was to be honest with Addie about what he wanted. Addie's journey to reconnect with her roots was complex, as she worked through the lingering sadness of the loss of a parent.

Kilt Trip is a great read that will leave readers longing for their own Scottish adventure and dreaming of finding love in the most unexpected places.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Alexandra Kiley for a review copy. These are my honest thoughts.